Maine cites multiple fire and rescue departments following deadly Searsmont sawmill explosion

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - The Maine Department of Labor has cited six fire departments and a rescue department for lacking an effective system to track firefighters’ locations at the scene of the deadly May fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.

The department said it has concluded its workplace safety investigations involving the Searsmont, Morrill, Montville, Belmont, Appleton and Lincolnville fire departments, as well as the Searsmont Rescue Department. The investigations examined compliance with workplace safety and health standards for public employers.

Morrill volunteer firefighter Andrew Cross, 27, was killed during the May 15 incident. Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, 76, died in June from injuries he sustained while responding to Robbins Lumber. Mill co-owner Alden Robbins succumbed to his injuries in July.

The labor department said all six fire departments were cited over the lack of an effective on-scene accountability system. The agency said the departments have since strengthened their systems, and most are working with other departments to implement a shared system for mutual aid responses.

Five departments also received citations involving personal protective equipment, including firefighting gear and breathing apparatus, according to the department. The release did not identify which five departments received those citations. The agency said the departments addressed the immediate deficiencies and committed to respiratory protection training.

The department said it suspended nearly all of the $108,000 in civil penalties in recognition of the communities’ corrective efforts and to allow them to direct resources toward safety improvements.

“Town staff and the fire department immediately started correcting all issues that the DOL identified,” Morrill First Selectman Randy Place said in the release. “Morrill greatly appreciated how the DOL handled our case, providing help and understanding while the town struggled with the loss of our young firefighter.”

The department also said it is coordinating additional training for fire department leaders and working with Searsmont Rescue on training related to protective equipment standards.

This is a developing story.